Top 10 Most Wanted Lost Amphibian Species

Scientists in 14 countries on five continents are teaming up to hunt for as many as 100 species of amphibians that are thought to possibly be extinct, but may be surviving in remote corners.

With amphibian populations around the world declining quickly and a third at risk of extinction, the unprecedented search could help scientists better understand the crisis.

“The rapid and profound change to the global environment that has taken place over the last fifty years or so – in particular climate change and habitat loss – has had a devastating impact on these incredible creatures,” Conservation International’s Robin Moore, who has organized the search for IUCN’s Amphibian Specialist Group, said in a press release August 8.

“We’ve arranged this search for ‘lost’ species that we believe may have managed to hang on so that we can get some definite answers – and hopefully learn about what has allowed some tiny populations of certain species to survive when the rest of their species has been lost,” Moore said.

Amphibians have also been suffering from a fungus that causes a disease known as chytridiomycosis, which has already obliterated some species.

In this gallery, see the 10 most wanted lost amphibian species chosen by Moore’s team for their potential scientific or aesthetic value, along with 10 other species that scientists around the world will be searching for. The hunters will be posting updates about their search to Conservation International’s website through October.